Bonsai Garden Forums / BONSAI / General Bonsai

rescued acer

RoyH — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:15:02 GMT

Hi all, i just thought i would share some pictures with you of this acer, which was bound for the tip.

There has been a reasonable amount of new growth since i acquired it & its rather attractive now (in my eyes) but I'm led to believe that you dont create jins & shars on deciduous trees, if so what would you do with the dead stump. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Black trunk and bugs

Jabba The G — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:00:25 GMT

I was out looking at my Willow leaf Ficus today and I noticed that the trunk had turned a dark color, almost black. When I moved the tree I noticed tons of tiny black bugs crawling around on the tree. Can someone give me an idea of what it might be and what I should do? I'll try and get a picture later.

wiring / branch protection

RoyH — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 11:06:41 GMT

hi all, i have searched the site for an answer to my question, which i'm sure is there somewhere, but i cant find it.
so here goes, what do you wrap the branches of your trees with to protect the bark when using strong wire etc.

"Energy"

Surrey John — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:10:40 GMT

On a number of occasions in discussions both here and in another place, I have noticed reference to a tree's "energy", often with reference to flowering, or the removal of foliage. Example - Stymie, in Tuppence's thread about white pine cones, you refer to the desirability of not leaving too many cones on a pine to preserve its energy.

I just wonder if we can possibly tease this out? In natural conditions, a pine tree will form as many cones as it can, as these are its means of reproduction (and reproduction is, after all, what life is all about), so in what sense is it's "energy" sapped? And what [u]is [/u]it's "energy"?

It's an intriguing notion, one which (it seems to me) we can all agree on so long as we don't ask too closely about what it means!

I should love to learn others' views! SJ.

inherited bonsai

littlebonsai — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:33:39 GMT

Hello everyone

I recently moved into a house (sussex) where the previous owner left behind a bonsai hazel.

Apparently its quite valuable but I know nothing about bonsai and am looking for a new home for it.

I can't see any classified ads for bonsai and cannot judge its condition (other than its still living)

Where could I go to find a new home for it or is anyone here interested?

(I can supply a photo if necessary)

ash tree insect problem / leaf curl ??

RoyH — Sun, 25 May 2008 10:30:51 GMT

Hi all, i have a problem with my cascade ash tree in that lots of the leafs are curling up. i think there is some sort of insect inside the leaf, which may be causing the problem.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Japanese maple and chinese elm

Jinny — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:06:04 GMT

Hello
i have a couple of worries with them both.
The Japanese maple is looking very bushy and not to sure about tidying it up and the roots are starting to come out of the drainage holes...but have read it is unsafe to root prune at this time of year...is this right.
The chinese elm has started to lose leaves they sort of go yellow with black spots on them and then drop off.
They live on the balconey and get morning and evening sun and get water every night.i've got to admit the soil on the elm is far from perfect...but water does drain through in about 20 seconds...the maple about 10 seconds

White Pine - Flowers or Cones?

Tuppence — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:42:58 GMT

My white pine has produced all this growth this year - I've not seen it before. Not sure what it is. :) Does this growth mean it's male or female?

Penny

Hello to Everyone!

meeleend — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:15:21 GMT

Hi,
My name is meeleend I am new on this forum.Let me know how is this forum.
:):)thank You!:):)

Lichens

Kath — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:51:05 GMT

Because I find these unsightly, I always remove same with an old toothbrush. Can anyone tell me, do they harm the tree in any way?, for instance they are using this larch as a host, would the larch loose any strength because of this?

Newcomer?

Stymie — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:10:19 GMT

When you visit the site for the first time, introduce yourself here, mention your special interest and whereabouts in the world you are:)

I'm Stymie aka Don, growing all kinds of bonsai, keeping goats and telling jokes. My location is Sheffield South Yorkshire UK.

Rose Bonsai

Tuppence — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:32:02 GMT

:) I've just started a couple of roses as bonsai. One is a cutting rooted from last year, the other is on of the tiny rose seedlings I've germinated in the portable greenhouse.

Now all I need to do is have patience and see how they grow.

Penny

For your diary

Stymie — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:11:39 GMT

“UP ‘N COMING”
SUNDAY 27th APRIL
Bonsai Traders at
Ryton-on-Dunsmore
The Sports Connexion.
(Nr. Coventry)
Your chance to stock up
with bonsai essentials and
some very special offers.

WALSALL STUDIO CERAMICS
..will be showing a new range of pots for
shohin and chuhin bonsai with sizes
approximately 4inches across. More info

www.walsall-studio-ceramics.co.uk

CHERRY BLOSSOM BONSAI
..will be offering a 200gram pack of Bio
Gold fertilizer FREE to the first twenty
customers who make a £5 minimum
purchase.

GREENWOOD GARDENS
..will be offering a FREE bonsai scissor
sharpening service to the first ten
customers who ask – one item per person
with no purchase necessary.

BONSAI PRESENTATIONS
..will be offering FREE illustrations to fit
their interchangeable range of hanging
scrolls for the display environment. There
a fifteen to give away from across the
range and no purchase necessary. Limited
to one per person who asks.

For those who’ve not yet heard, Kath
and Malcolm Hughes are planning the
Best of British Bonsai Award 2009 at
the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Sponsored by Steve Tolley this event is
scheduled for Easter- April 11-12th 2009
Meanwhile if you
wish to submit your high quality trees
for consideration, phone 0121 378
4837, E: britishbonsai09@yahoo.com
More Bonsai Traders
29th June – Capel Manor
28th September- Sheffield –
Don Valley Stadium

Royal Horticultural Society

Stymie — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:58:42 GMT

Below, I reproduce the guidlines set out by the R.H.S. for exhuibitors and judges;

BONSAI

A bonsai is essentially a tree encouraged to conform in all respects with an ordinary tree, except for its miniature size. Natural dwarf trees are not bonsai, unless trained to look like a large natural tree in shape and restricted to a size smaller than their own maximum potential. A bonsai and its container must together present a satisfactory, well-balanced and aesthetic unity.

MERITORIOUS

A strong, well-shaped trunk tapering upwards, merging naturally with the growing medium. Surface roots fanning out from the base of the trunk and gradually disappearing into the soil. Well proportioned head of branches well-spaced and set on the trunk and without scars or marks of training. A tree looking as natural as possible in its surroundings. Pots, preferably in monochrome glaze, in proportion to the tree. Polychrome pots are permissible but are best used for non-flowering and non-fruiting specimens. Tree so placed in the pot as to create a visual balance. Flowers, fruit and foliage in proportion to the size of tree. Trees planted well raised in the pot, so that the bole can be seen clearly over the rim of the pot when viewed at eye level.

DEFECTIVE

Weak, badly shaped trunks or those that look like sticks or branches stuck in the ground. Badly spaced, cut, scarred or crossed branches. Noticeable artificial training; uncharacteristic growth for species.

Snagged or abruptly cut roots visible above the soil or dead fibrous roots standing in the air. Trees out of balance. Flowers, fruit or foliage out of proportion to the size of the tree. Soil surface and bole of trunk sunk well below the rim of the pot. Unnecessary additional ornaments or decoration.

On reading through the foregoing, I am dismayed to think of how many trees would be penalised for exhibiting scars or marks of training.

Colour of pots. I had previously understood that polychrome (more than one colour) pots were the very ones acceptable for flowering and fruiting species. Was I wrongly influenced by the grammar of writers propounding this?

Uncharacteristic growth for species. Sometimes, we deliberately train one species in an overall shape which is more characteristic of another.

Apart from these few points, we must agree with the principals put forward by the RHS but thank goodness for the freedom of opinion allowed to the individual judge.

= Don.

Just Ordered Starters :)

Tuppence — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:01:11 GMT

I've just ordered three starter trees, a trident maple, a redwood and a hornbeam (from Herons) and they should be here on Thursday.

I'll photograph them when they arrive.

:)

Piece of Hawthorn with Roots

Tuppence — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:33:40 GMT

Hello.

I dug up one of the hawthorns from the bottom of the garden today. Its tap root was substantial and very secure in the ground so I had to hack out the hawthorn, leaving a piece with some roots. Do you think there's a chance of it growing?

I've potted it in bonsai soil and will water it and take my chances. :)

Repotting

keithmart — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:00:20 GMT

I have just come indoors after doing some repotting. It is FFFFFreeeziinnngg out there!

Lots of buds are swelling, one trident maple has actually got some leaves. I will have to watch out in case of another very cold snap.

My little bonsai garden is fairly well sheltered, mainly from the wind.

had my bonsai 2 weeks

Jinny — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:12:05 GMT

Hello

Thanks for the advice in bonia tech .....found some good stuff the website given to me(can't remember who but thanks.)

I've been watering every night and placing on a window ledge in the day....but was a bit doubtfull...if i would kill them or not....but watering last night i was nicly surprised to see the flower on my fukien tea opening and not dying as soon as...and a nice green berry on my bird plum....gave them thier firstfeed aswell( i think i'm winning and hoping so)...

Going to repot the bird plum when my stuff comes and was reading when repotting to take a 3rd of the fine roots off,does this sound right...really nervous of messing it up and killing it.

Thanks again

Jinny

Fig Tree

RoyH — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:53:58 GMT

hi all, here's some pics of a couple of fig trees i have re-potted, which belong to friends of mine, but i'm concerned about the temps in my garage compaired to where the normally live, ie conservatorys. i believe 15c is the min temp they should be kept at, is this true? any advice would be appreciated.

this is the first tree, before i worked on it, quite leggy & bone dry!

same tree after working on it, still a bit leggy, so the tops of the stems have been nipped out.

second tree before working on it, much better shape: -

same tree after working on it: -

A stick in a pot

Jinny — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:19:03 GMT

Hello

I went to a garden centre on sunday....what can i say about the bonsai...mostly dead ...the ones that were still alive there medium very dry....and i found what they called a mini bonsai..( i call it a stick in a pot....so i got it b4 it died and now not a clue what to do with it...don't know what it is...all i know if i didn't get it it would of died...any ideas what to do with it or what it is...i don't even know if its indoor or out

I feel daft even posting this ???????

Just got a bonsai?

Stymie — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:59:25 GMT

If you got a tree for the first time, perhaps bought it on an impulse or someone gave it as a present, there are some things to think about.
Find out what species you have, because trees from different areas need to be kept in different places and be treated differently.
If it didn't come from a specialised bonsai source it may be an imported item which is prepared in a way to allow it to stay in its container during transit.
There may be glued on stones/rocks/pebbles which restrict the free passage of water into the planting medium. These should be removed as soon as possible and any depressions revealed filled in with grit or free draining compost.
The planting medium may be clay which does not drain easily. This may be changed during the next early spring when re-potting can take place.
Trees in pots need air as well as water at their roots and this can be achieved by using a free draining medium to plant them in. This will also allow any excess moisture to drain away quickly and reduce the risk of root rot. The target should be to be able to keep the medium just moist by watering when mother nature has not provided enough.
Any tree which is not in the process of active growth, sickly or newly potted should not be fertilised until recovered and robust.
This is just first aid and articles about different procedures and care can be found elsewhere on this site. Ask if you don't know where to look.

Chinese elm

Jinny — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:25:41 GMT

Hello

I got an chinese elm on tuesday and put it out on the balcony...do you think it will be ok in this weather...or should i give it some protection of any kind

TRY THIS !!!

daryl — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:24:05 GMT

Some people might have already found this out but I thought I'd let everyone else in on the secret!

This might sound complicated but just take it one step at a time and it will be worth it.

1. Click on control panel at the top of your page then scroll down until you see the box marked Options on the left hand side.

2. Click on Forum settings. In the top box marked General settings you will find a drop down box called Editor appearance. Click the little arrow on the right and choose All Editing Options.

3. Make sure that you now scroll down to the very bottom of the page and click on Update

Now, when you go to add a post or reply to a message you will see that there is a little icon at the top of the box which looks like a mountain scene. This is the 'insert a picture' icon and works exactly the same as the one like it in Word.

If you click on it you will get the usual 'Browse' window and can choose your picture. Like this ......

Once it has arrived in your text you can click on it and use your cursor to change the size or the format buttons to centre it etc with no need to upload anything. I think it even automatically resizes pictures that have too many pixels.

EASY !!!!

looking at homepage photo gallery(Kath)

Jinny — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:17:21 GMT

hello

Kath i was just lookin on the homepage photo gallery's....i can only say 1 word 'stunning'...all the pictures of all the bonsai's(all the site) stun me with how good they are and makes me realise i have a lot to learn.

Take care

Jinny

introduction

Jinny — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:31:08 GMT

i've just registered here...and been having a look around...i'm a keen gardener...and just got my 1st 2 bonsai's(moved to the next level i think :) ) 1 is a sagarethia theezans and to be honest not a clue what the other is ?? just thought i'd introduce myself and say hello.

Jinny

Chinese Elm

topiaryjoe — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:58:55 GMT

The Chinese Elm is a very easy trees to take care of ,as they can withstand temperature variations.This tree i have trained an ambitious leader which i will not prune, as the young leaves will pull nutrients up the stem to thicken up the trunk at the top .

Feeding every fortnight from spring. 25cm 5" green glazed dish

Repotting every two years.

Unsightly Scars on Japanese Hawthorn

Tuppence — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:33:05 GMT

This little tree came with unsightly scars and I really don't know what to do about them, if anything. When in leaf, of course, the scars are hidden.

Penny[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment172.aspx[/img]

IS IT Really BONSAI ?

topiaryjoe — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:49:44 GMT

This dwarf Chinese rhododendron/Impeditum pink flowers, called out to me this weekend at my local gardening centre i put it into a bonsai dish and put it on my kitchen window sill as it very cold and will enjoy the flowers, then keep it outside , instant bonsai.or is it.

But is it really a bonsai?

5" blue glazed dish rhodonddron impeditum

5" blue glazed bonsai dish.Rhododdron impeditum purple flowers

Horse Chestnut Scale??????

Kath — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:14:40 GMT

Would you say this is Horse Chestnut Scale? it started in the summer on an Acer tree. I keep removing this white (presumably eggs) by hand, but it seems to keep coming back. Any treatment recommended please.

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment102.aspx[/img]

Avatar

Surrey John — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:55:08 GMT

In my usual way I can't see how to do an avatar. I'm brewing up to doing one, to show everyone my visage. Can anyone help on how to do this? Can instructions be found on BG somewhere? I'm just not that familiar with the site yet. SJ. unsure

The perennial topic of feeding!

Tuppence — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:17:18 GMT

Hello.

Is it too early to begin feeding the bonsai that have new buds and are about to burst into leaf? And the confers and yew? Do I start feeding early as the season is so advanced?

Thanks.

:)

problem??

johnbaz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:09:26 GMT

hello

i have a chinese elm that i acquired about two or three years ago, towards the end of last year a brown looking gelatine type of stuff appeared on the surface of the compost, i have seen it before on one of my trees ages ago but didn't think much of it...
this elm hasn't really done very well at all since i've had it, it was potbound and had lost it's (broom) shape, so i repotted it when i got it..

i've just repotted it again and the compost at the surface was very slimey and some of the thicker roots were [i]very[/i] rubbery, i cut these out as they just weren't right, also, there wasn't very much fibrous root and yet there are hundreds of small but definitely swelling roots...

here's the[b] 'stuff'[/b]

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment117.aspx[/img]

sorry, i don't seem to have a pic of the whole tree:blink:

does anyone know what it is?
seems to be something to do with the rubbery (probably rotting) roots...

john:)

ps, forgot to say, the compost below the surface was very sandy/gritty and should have been an open mix but was actually soaked.....

Interesting Bonsai Site

keithmart — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:16:56 GMT

Hi All

I have been trawling the web again, and found this interesting site.

Check through some of the links for some 'eye candy'

http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/octoberbonsai/index.html

Don Valley bonsai expo.

Stymie — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:51:53 GMT

I just got back from an enjoyable day with the bonsai traders association show and I've still got a few coppers left in my pocket.:P

I thought that you might like to see the pine that Kevin worked on for a demo. Sorry about the background but it was in the middle of the hall. I wasn't too sure about that bottom right hand branch. Does anyone else dare to criticize Mr Willson?

[img]http://forums.bonsaigarden.net/Attachment86.aspx[/img]

I'm not putting any more photographs of the event here because I couldn't improve on the shots of the exhibits over those that Keith put on his Fuchsia site. See:- http://www.westyorksfuchsia.talktalk.net/obs/

click and run the tour.:) You'll be interested in the Fuchsias as well. Have your sound turned on.

Questions?

Stymie — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:34:01 GMT

It has been said, not to mention sung many times; THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS. After talking to people about bonsai for a few years I have realised that the reverse is often the case because there are differing answers from different people to the same question. I'll therefore pinch another line from the song; THE MORE I LEARN THE LESS I KNOW.:unsure:

Dawn Redwood airlayer

nige — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:25:47 GMT

I have a dawn redwood that I started an airlayer on last year which I have had to over- winter as I did not feel it had enough root on to seperate from the parent plant.

I am hoping that will have enough roots on it within the next 2 months. Would it be ok to pot this up whilst it is 'in the green' or would I need to treat like a larch and pot it up before the buds break?

Cedrus atlantica glauca

Stymie — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:23:45 GMT

This was a so called 'group tree' which a group of people in our club were interested in. It was sold by auction this month and I managed to procure it. I show pictures before and after initial styling.

I'll have to be thinking about a pot before 2008.

Air layering a plum

GreenLarry — Sat, 19 May 2007 15:24:34 GMT

I have this huge domestic plum tree in my garden and last month I began an air layer on one of the branches; fingers crossed it will take.

Season's greetings

Stymie — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:30:51 GMT

[img][santaglasses_215[1].jpg/img]Be of good cheer - all who enter here

HELP MY DYING SERISSA FOETIDA BONSAI TREE

kittycatxxx — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:12:43 GMT

Please can anyone give me some desperate, urgent advice...My bonsai tree looks like its dying...all the leaves hav almost turned brown and it looks like its drying out...however the soil is moist. It was a v special gift from a loved one last xmas but over the past month has appeared poor in health. Is there anything i can do to try and save my tree...any advice would be appreciated x